New signings set for Arsenal debut

Match Preview: Arsenal vs Southampton - Premier League - 10/9/2016

Thank God for the return of club football! The Arsenal are back in action this weekend and face a tough looking task as they host Southampton at The Emirates (all be it an out of sorts Saints).

It’s amazing what a difference a couple of new faces and time to heal some wounds makes isn’t it? Just ten days or so ago Arsenal fans were still at war amidst a par at best start to the season, the win away at Watford last time out doing a bit to soften the lashing tongues.

Since then Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Pérez have joined the club, Jack Wilshere has departed and the nights have begun to draw darker. Summer seems done.

The Gunners' opponents this weekend also have a divided support base as opinions are tossed back and forth as to whether selling their best players in the summer was the best move.

As a big fan and follower of Ligue 1 Football in France I can tell you for one that boss Claude Puel is no mug, having managed AS Monaco, Lille & Lyon before last season guiding Nice to a record league finish and developing younger players to a high level. Yes, The Saints have made a poor start but write them off at your peril, Nathan Redmond’s pace could cause problems, Shane Long’s direct, aggressive style will need policing and the creativity of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg will require Arsenal to be alert in the deep midfield area.

So what of The Arsenal? The previously mentioned Mustafi seems likely to partner the impressive Laurent Koscielny while fellow new boy Lucas Pérez seems likely to join Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the bench. Theo Walcott looks set for a wide berth with Alexis reverting to the opposite flank accommodating the return of now match fit Olivier Giroud. For once the squad looks well covered in every area, until of course the inevitable November injury crisis *touches wood*. Genuine competition for places could be so key in this squad achieving the expected levels.

The keys to victory in this game for me lay in the wide areas, with The Saints playing the inexperienced Matt Targett on one side and the unconvincing Cedric Soares on the other I see this as an area Arsenal can get in behind, overlapping runs from our full backs with some by-line pull backs could prove fruitful, it will also be interesting to see who is in goal for Puel’s men Fraser Forster is a doubt and after his stunning performance last season Gunners fans will hope he misses this encounter. Make no mistake, despite a poor start to the season, Southampton will be tough to beat and I personally think patience in breaking them down will be vital.

After a comprehensive victory at Vicarage Road last time out, a win for Arsenal playing at a similar cut throat, direct, fast paced level would be lovely and set up next week’s clash with PSG in the Champions League beautifully, but, we are Arsenal fans, is it ever that simple? Not usually…. COYG!

LAST 3 Meetings

• Southampton 2-0 Arsenal 01.01.2015
• Southampton 4-0 Arsenal 26.12.2015
• Arsenal 0-0 Southampton 02.02.2016

FACTFILE

• Arsenal has scored 21 goals in their last 8 home games vs The Saints.
• Southampton has only lost 2 of the last 8 meetings with The Gunners.
• Shkodran Mustafi set to make a Premier League bow 7 years after leaving England.

INJURIES

Iwobi returns, Ramsey, Mertesacker, Gabriel & Jenkinson still ruled out. Alexis faces late check after late return from Chile.

Potential STARTING XI

Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Xhaka, Cazorla, Walcott, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud.

GOONERSPHERE PREDICTION

Arsenal 2-1 Southampton

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